Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Expensive can of worms

Friday, July 13, 2001 | 9:52 a.m.

Mike O'Callaghan is the Las Vegas Sun executive editor.

DIRECTOR OF THE Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety, Richard Kirkland, found a loophole in a recent state law that gets him an extra $70,000 a year. That's what he gets from previous state retirement and now added to his present salary of $103,000 he will be getting $173,000 annually. That's until next year when his $70,000 retirement will go up 2 1/2 percent and every year thereafter for the next six years or when he retires again.

When Kirkland took his appointment from Gov. Kenny Guinn to head up the DMV, the law stated he couldn't receive both his Public Employees Retirement check and $94,000 state salary. It later was raised to $103,000.

This year the 2001 Legislature passed a law the last week they were in session that eliminated this restriction. It was done to attract employees where there is a critical shortage.

The intent, although not spelled out in Assembly Bill 555, was to get skilled math and science teachers back in the classroom. By not being specific, the new law loaded up a can of worms that Kirkland had the Board of Examiners open for him. The board made up of Guinn, Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa and Secretary of State Dean Heller, without even discussing Kirkland's case, approved the change that he requested. It will be interesting to see just how many worms are in that can. If it's difficult to keep Kirkland for $100,000 there are probably several thousand other people who will qualify. He shouldn't let the door hit him on the rear end on the way out.

Right now just Kirkland's retirement check of $70,000 annually is probably double what today's average state employee gets for plodding to work every day. *

Tom Brokaw couldn't have found a better example of the Greatest Generation than George and Eileen Brookman who have lived and worked in Las Vegas for almost a half-century. This week they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

The name Brookman is well known in political circles. Eileen served in the Nevada Assembly for 16 years between 1967 and 1989. It was necessary for her to leave office for three terms when caring for her late son Michael, who was a heart-transplant recipient.

Eileen's greatest strength came from never forgetting those she represented and those who had little or no representation in government. Not more than a dozen Native Americans lived in her district but she became their voice in Carson City. I don't believe she has ever done much fishing but believes it's a sport that brings families together and that's why Nevada now has an annual free fishing day. She was also a strong voice for senior citizens and helped get those who had limited funds get a property tax rebate.

Mothers traveling with small children and not having change can now find public toilet facilities that don't require money for use. That's not the way it was before Eileen pushed legislation to make it so.

George, like Eileen, lived through the Great Depression and joined the National Guard as a weekend and summer warrior when graduating from high school in 1936. Almost 40 years later he earned his associate of arts degree from the Community College of Southern Nevada.

Shortly after joining the Los Angeles Police Department he was called to active duty. He, as a sergeant, qualified for Officer Candidate School and from there it was infantry combat in the South Pacific as a platoon leader. Three years later he was back with the L.A.P.D. for a couple of years before going into business with his brother.

Since arriving in Las Vegas he has operated and built motels and other facilities. Brookman Construction Co. has built casinos, homes, businesses and churches. George, an accomplished carpenter, has always found the time to give people needing help a hand up. Hundreds of Las Vegans have received help from George, knowing that they would never have to face a collection agent or hear about it from some other person.

Yeah, I'd say that George and Eileen are great examples of the Greatest Generation.